Two BJP leaders arrested for printing fake currency

Brothers, both of them BJP leaders holding different positions in the saffron party, were arrested for lending money at high interest rate, printing fake currencies in denomination of Rs 2000, 500, 100, 50 and 20.

Rakesh, a BJP youth wing leader, was arrested in connection with fake currency printing and circulation of the same.

Fake currency worth ₹1.37 lakh and printing machines were seized from his house at Anchamparuthy, near Mathilakam, in Kerala. A case was registered against his brother Rajeev, a Dalit Morcha BJP leader. Police are serching for him.

Suspecting that both were lending money at exorbitant interest rate, the police raided their house as a part of anti-loan shark exercise ‘Operation Kubera’ and seized a multi-colour printer, a scanner, a currency cutter, ink, printing paper and a laptop. They also found stamp papers, promissory notes and copies of title deeds.

The counterfeit currency was printed in a room on the top floor of Rakesh’s house. Fake currency of denominations ₹2000, ₹500, ₹50 and ₹20 were found. A4 sheets used for printing fake currency were also seized.

The police are investigating about the financial dealings of Rakesh, who is an active member of the Yuva Morcha and BJP booth president of Anchamparuthy.

According to the police, Rakesh bought the colour printer two weeks back and he used the counterfeit currency to buy lottery, provisions and fill petrol. The illiterate fish workers of the coastal belt and lottery vendors were most of their victims.

Rakesh, who had completed computer education, had worked in the Gulf for some time. Though he does not have any job, he used to lead a luxurious life, according to some local people.

The police suspect that Rajeev too has involvement in the case. It is alleged that he tried to pay using fake currency at a local petrol pump. The police are investigating whether more people are involved in the racket. The brothers were allegedly involved in some criminal cases too.

It is alledged that, both of them have close tie-ups with top leaders of RSS and its subsidiaries. To be noted is, lots of money has been flowing into the campaigns of the BJP, the RSS and the Yuva Morcha.